“I Had No Interest Then, Now People Demand I Contest LS”: Jagadish Shettar

Hubballi: Former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar has revealed that despite having had three opportunities to contest Lok Sabha elections in the past, he lacked interest in national politics then. However, he now finds himself under mounting pressure from various quarters urging him to reconsider and vie for a seat in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Shettar emphasized that the final decision on the Lok Sabha constituency from which he will contest rests with the party high command. He clarified that he has not specified a particular Lok Sabha seat to party leaders and trusts that the party will make the appropriate decision.

The seasoned politician disclosed that residents from both Belagavi and Haveri Lok Sabha constituencies are urging him to contest from their respective areas. Additionally, he acknowledged substantial pressure from the people of the Dharwad constituency.

Addressing the reported discord between himself and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Shettar stated, “Whatever I had to say and to whom, I have already conveyed.”

Cracks in the friendship between Joshi and Shettar began appearing long before the Assembly election, as their relationship strained over numerous issues, and discontent between the two leaders started to grow. The friendship ultimately came to an end when Jagadish Shettar left the BJP, following the party’s denial of a ticket for him to contest in the Lok Sabha election.

Shettar, who claimed he felt out of place and left the Congress following assurances from the BJP high command that he would be treated with dignity within the party and provided positions in the coming days, began avoiding events where Union Minister Joshi was present.

Recently, he skipped two programs, including the foundation stone-laying ceremony for Hubballi airport’s new terminal and another event on the same day.